Fireproof and protecting garment.



No. 875,976. PATENTBD JAN. v, 1908.

' E. BALL. FIREPROOP ANDPRGTBGTING GARMPJNT.

APPLIUATIION FILED AER 16. 1907.

UVL'NTOR.

EPHRIAM BALL, QF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

FIREPRO OF AND PROTEC'ING GRMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 7', 1908.

Application filed April 16.1907. Serial No. 368,455

To all whom it may concern:

Beit knoWn that EPHRIAM BALL, citizen of the United States, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, has

'inventedcertain new and useful improvei pletely shield the male or female wearer from heat, gases and smoke.

YV ith myinvention iiremen may enter a burning building to rescue an inmate without endangering themselves.

Further objects and advantages will be more fully described herein and specifically pointed out in the claims recourse being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part -of this specification in which `Figure 1 is a side elevation of the garment. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same and Fig. 3 is a front vieW showing the garment open so as to permit aperson to get into it through an opening.

1n the drawing like reference numerals indicate similar parts in all the views 1 is the armored cap or top portion provided with ribs or flanges which protect the head ofthe wearer from falling bricks, plaster and the like.

2 isa vizor made si shaped and is provided with mica covered projecting peep holes or spectacles and by its shape permits the wearer to see sidewise as well as directly in front.

` The above mentioned parts form a helmet or hood usually made in one piece the lower portion of which extends over both shoulders.

. 3a are the sleeve and 4 the trousers portion of the garment made in one piece.

A 5 are shoulder straps or reinforcements, 6 being rings for permitting the person equipped with the invention to be suspended or let down by ropes.

The hood or helmet and shoulder covering are usually made of aluminium covered suitably with asbestos or other refractory matcrial, the rest of the garment being made of a more pliable fireproof material.

7 is the upper flap and 8 the lower while 9 are the side self closing flaps all adapted to cover the opening by winch the garment is put on and thoroughly envelope the body and protects it from external heat and flame.y

The body portion of the garment is provided with spring steel ribs or still'ening rods 10. 11 being a stilfening edging along the outer portion of the side 'flaps 9, as shown.

The sleeve portions 3 have glove or mitten extremities 12 while thc leg portions et are provided with foot coverings 13, having thick l'ireproof soles as are also the palms of the mittens which have an additional laver of non-combustible material to prevent a too rapid wear. ,n

Upon having donned or 'entered the garment and the flaps 7, S and 9 being held open the action of the spring ribs, closes them, permit ting the 'flaps to clasp the body.

By having resilient means or springs 11 the use of straps buckles and other fastening means are dispensed with so that the garment may be quickly adjusted without the loss of time occasioned bv buckling or fastening the same.

Having described my invention and what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

ii. A non-conibustible garment having an opening therein and spring controlled flaps or coverings adapted to close-said opening.

2. A non-combustible garment having an opening, 'llaps covering the opening, spring means for closing said flaps, and a reinforcing lining on the edges of said flaps.

3. A non-eombustible garment having an opening inthe front thereof, of spring con trolled flaps adapted to close. said opening, a reinforcing strip around said flaps and shoulder straps l'iaving edges or rings therein.

Ll. A 'fireproof garment having an opening, flaps adapted to close said opening, resilient, means for closing said flaps'and an armored hood or cap provided with a convergent front po'tion. W

.i. A one rnece fireproof garment provided with an opening self closing flaps adapted to close the opening, shoulder straps provided with fastening means and a hood or vizor having rib projecting means, and a flattened extension on said hood provided with projecting eye glasses or peep holes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EPHRIAM BALL.

Witnesses Monrrz BENJAMIN, lsimonn BENJAMIN. 

